Palestine issue ‘incomparable’, minister tells critics of ban on Israeli athletes

Saifuddin Abdullah says Malaysia feels the plight of Palestinians under Israeli occupation is ‘incomparable’.

PETALING JAYA: The government said it was standing firm on its decision to ban Israeli athletes from sporting events in the country, despite yesterday’s move by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to bar Malaysia from hosting a world swimming competition in July.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah also responded to critics who asked why a similar ban was not imposed on athletes representing countries with grave violations of human rights.

“Yes, they are abuses of human rights in other countries. For now, we will say that the suppression and oppression against the Palestinians is incomparable,” he told reporters today.

Yesterday, IPC announced that it would not allow Malaysia to host the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships to be held in Kuching in July.

This followed Israel’s appeal to change the venue if Malaysia refused to lift a ban on its athletes.

“When a host country excludes athletes from a particular nation, for political reasons, then we have absolutely no alternative but to look for a new championships host,” IPC president Andrew Parsons said in London.

Saifuddin said the argument that sports should not be politicised should also be applied to Israel, which had previously banned Palestinian athletes.

“However, the Palestine issue is no longer a question of simple politics, it is an extraordinary case,” he added.

Saifuddin said Malaysia had not ignored the plight of other victims of oppression such as the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

He said Putrajaya was aware of the plight of minorities worldwide both Muslim and non-Muslim.

On accusations that the ban by Malaysia smacked of anti-Semitism, Saifuddin said it was nothing new.

“This is not the first time we have been accused of being an anti-Semitic government.

” Our policies are based on principles,” he said, adding that Malaysia would continue its good ties with all countries, including those with different views on the Palestinian conflict.

“For example, lately there were a few countries who have either relocated their foreign embassy to Jerusalem, or have announced their plans, but have yet to relocate.

“During meetings with dignitaries from those countries, we mention that we do not agree with their stance, as we have our own views. But this does not mean that we no longer trade with them or maintain good ties with them,” he said. - FMT